Hello again,
There are many benefits to an online education, but there can also be pitfalls. Before committing to an online program, do your homework. Pun absolutely intended. A thorough investigation now will save you headaches later. Here are some things to look for:
-
- The university’s credentials. Make sure this is a “real” university, and not a diploma mill, where you basically pay your money and receive a piece of paper in return. Check with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to make sure the program is properly accredited. Watch out for universities that offer college credits for life experience, or that offer fast-track degrees for extra payment. Any program that offers you a doctoral degree in five days is a problem.
- Appropriateness of the program. Know what you want from the degree, and ensure your choice fits the bill. If your goal is licensure, then make sure that the program has the proper accreditation, and fulfills all of the requirements of the state for licensure. If you’re planning on going on for a doctorate, it may be important that the program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Plan ahead, and verify that the program meets your requirements.
- Instructors experienced in teaching online courses. There are certain pedagogical considerations particular to an online venue. Make sure that the instructors at the university you choose know what those are. If they don’t understand the question, it’s time to move on.
- Instructors well-versed in technology. Make sure the instructors know how to use all the latest bells and whistles. If they don’t, your online experience could be reduced to simply reading text and writing responses. Yuck. Both boring and ineffective. Ask if they have experience in:
- Blackboard (if they don’t know this one: run!)
- Blogs
- Podcasting
- Virtual worlds (Second Life)
- ProfCast
- Elluminate Live!
- Soft Chalk
- Articulate (Engage, Presenter or Quizmaker)
- Wikis
- Google documents
- Camtasia, Jing or ScreenR
- Availability of instructors. Make sure you will get the help and support that you need. Ask about turnaround time with email, and how questions/issues are addressed. It is essential that you have access to your instructor.
- Availability of tech support. Find out what tech support is available. You will need a supportive and responsive tech help line in case you run into difficulty. Please note, it is generally not the instructor’s role to assist with technology.
- Peer recommendations. Google the university to see what other students are saying.
- In-person components. In order to learn basic counseling skills, an instructor should view you. This is best done in-person; although it could be done via video.
- The instructors’ credentials. Where are their degrees from? How long have they been teaching? What are their research interests?
And last, but certainly not least, what should you look for in yourself?
- Ability to take the initiative and be a self-starter. Because you won’t be meeting regularly, the temptation to postpone your work will be much greater as compared with a brick and mortar school. In order to be successful at learning online, you must be disciplined and self-motivated. Do not wait until the last minute to complete assignments, for example. More on this, and good study habits, in a later post.
Also check:
• https://mastersincounseling.org/education/how-to-find-a-job-after-graduation-resumes/
• https://mastersincounseling.org/counseling/the-importance-of-sexual-education/
• https://mastersincounseling.org/resources/ebooks-visualization/ 40 Best Online Libraries for Counselors
Becoming a Mental Health Counselor: Licensure and Training
Insider Tips on Applying to Schools
Top Blogs
